Stage 18 - Anticlimax's all around

Today's route: 72 Miles 

Lenno,(LakeComo) -> Lodi

Ascend: 575m, Descend 550m 

Firstly, I've worked out how to upload video!  Here I am nearing the end of my climb of the Swiss Alps a few days ago....commentary from Dominique :-)

Anticlimax - An event or experience that causes disappointment because it is less exciting than was expected or because it happens immediately after a much more interesting or exciting event.

All of today's events seemed to match the definition of Anticlimax. Maybe because crossing the Alps and cycling around three lakes is pretty hard to beat, but also because the Northern part of Italy around Milan and into Lodi really isn't that inspiring, even if the sun is shining. 

The day began well enough. It was all smiles as I said goodbye to our host Jacomo at the hotel in Lenno, pictured here with my father. 

Despite all of the miles, (now 1080 odd), I am now beginning to feel quite strong physically. My body seems to have gone through an adjustment in the last few days as I am definitely finding it quicker to recover. This bodes well for the tough stages to come over the next few days, lets hope I haven't spoken too soon. 

Cycling alone again (Also for one more day tomorrow), working my way down to Monza and around Milan today, I found myself just concentrating staying off busy roads and avoiding heavy traffic more than taking in any particularly interesting scenery.  

Meeting my parents for Lunch in Gorgonzola (picked out on the map at random) was the only thing to look forward to.  Gorgonzola was thoroughly   disappointing, this is the best pic I can come up with. See what I mean?

At least Mum, Dad and I enjoyed a Gorgonzola pizza, but that's the only positive thing I have to say about the place. 

I made good time to Lodi in the afternoon, despite Lorry's passing me constantly on all road types.  At one point, 12 Lorry's passed me in succession, no doubt on their way to construct yet another motorway in an area dominated by main roads and motorway from what I can gather. This area couldn't be further away from the Italy that you would imagine. 

Upon arriving in Lodi, the hotel booked on booking.com which was described as quaint and rural, turned out to be stinking, deserted and covered in graffiti. For crying out loud. 

It was so bad, that we hastily booked another hotel on the outskirts of Lodi, where we finally arrived tired and disappointed of the days travels. 

We took a taxi into the old town and had dinner just off the piazza in central Lodi, situated on the square (the only piazza in Italy that is actually square). The good food and prospect of getting out of here tomorrow and heading towards the Apennines did the job of cheering us up though....

Another mountain range looms on Friday....the Apennines, through Tuscany and down into Lucca, it's about to get very picturesque again. 

Til tomorrow.....Brett